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From Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC)

Responding to an unusual newspaper advertisement (“Are you a gifted child looking for special opportunities?”), Reynie Muldoon follows the ad’s directive to take a special test at a designated place and time. Of the many children who show up for the test, only Reynie and three others are selected to undertake a dangerous mission for the Mysterious Benedict Society. Acting as secret agents, the four children must infiltrate the exclusive Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened. The Mysterious Benedict Society’s eccentric leader is convinced that the Institute is the source of insidious messages being delivered directly into human brains. He believes these messages are causing the “Emergency ”—a worldwide deterioration of all aspects of civilization that is triggering a demand for dramatic government upheaval. At the center of an intricate and dryly comic plot lies a message of cooperation and tolerance as the four quirky and very different children learn that none of them can solve the mystery (and save the world!) without the help of the others. (Ages 10–13)

CCBC Choices 2008 © Cooperative Children's Book Center, Univ. of Wisconsin - Madison, 2008. Used with permission.

From Horn Book

September 1, 2019
Reynie, Sticky, and Kate are now teens, and cranky telepathic genius Constance is not yet a tween, in this latest series entry (The Mysterious Benedict Society, rev. 3/07, and sequels). The Ten Men, diabolical henchmen of Mr. Curtain, break out of prison and plan to free their boss from the maximum-security KEEP, where the children's mentor, Mr. Benedict, has locked himself in with his twin and nemesis?but Mr. Curtain has poisoned them both to force the Society to attempt a rescue. There follows a puzzle-lover's extravaganza?plans to the KEEP are in code, with riddles and clues to be solved and security measures to be finessed. A new character is introduced?five-year-old telepath Tai Li?and there's also time for the group members to talk about their feelings, revealing some ambivalence about the idea of parting ways as they grow older. The schemes and counterschemes involve some unexpected reversals, testing the friends' abilities to the utmost. With the series' typically strong plotting and wily wordplay, fans will enjoy another chance to spend time with the witty, brilliant Mysterious Benedict Society. anita l. burkam

(Copyright 2019 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

From Horn Book

July 1, 2019
In this installment Reynie, Sticky, and Kate are now teens, and cranky telepathic genius Constance is almost a tween. The henchmen of Mr. Curtain escape from prison and plan to free their boss from the maximum-security KEEP, but Mr. Curtain has poisoned Mr. Benedict, the children's mentor, to force the Society to attempt a rescue. It's a puzzle-lover's extravaganza, with codes, riddles, and clues to solve and security measures to be finessed.

(Copyright 2019 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

From Kirkus

May 15, 2019
When deadly minions of archvillain Ledroptha Curtain escape from prison, the talented young protégés of his twin brother, Nicholas Benedict, reunite for a new round of desperate ploys and ingenious trickery. Stewart sets the reunion of cerebral Reynie Muldoon Perumal, hypercapable Kate Wetherall, shy scientific genius George "Sticky" Washington, and spectacularly sullen telepath Constance Contraire a few years after the previous episode, The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Prisoner's Dilemma (2009). Providing relief from the quartet's continual internecine squabbling and self-analysis, he trucks in Tai Li, a grubby, precociously verbal 5-year-old orphan who also happens to be telepathic. (Just to even the playing field a bit, the bad guys get a telepath too.) Series fans will know to be patient in wading through all the angst, arguments, and flurries of significant nose-tapping (occasionally in unison), for when the main action does at long last get under way--the five don't even set out from Mr. Benedict's mansion together until more than halfway through--the Society returns to Nomansan Island (get it?), the site of their first mission, for chases, narrow squeaks, hastily revised stratagems, and heroic exploits that culminate in a characteristically byzantine whirl of climactic twists, triumphs, and revelations. Except for brown-skinned George and olive-complected, presumably Asian-descended Tai, the central cast defaults to white; Reynie's adoptive mother is South Asian. Clever as ever--if slow off the mark--and positively laden with tics, quirks, and puns. (Fiction. 11-13)

COPYRIGHT(2019) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

From Booklist

Starred review from May 1, 2019
Grades 4-6 *Starred Review* The Mysterious Benedict Society is back! The cast has aged, but the criminal contingency, amped-up action, and derring-do remain the same. Now teenagers, bright-bulb Reynie, intrepid Kate, and Sticky, he of the photographic memory, have the biggest fight ever on their hands. All of the bad guys from previous books (a baker's dozen of them) have returned with revenge on their minds and nefarious plans in their pockets, along with all sorts of instruments of evil. Also in attendance is the ever-contrary Constance Contraire, now a preteen, and with her is a telepath like herself, the adorable, five-year-old Tai. There's no point in trying to describe the ins and outs of the adventure, other than to say that at times it's convoluted but always high octane. What Stewart does so well here is hearken back to the first book, where the characters were introduced and readers got inside their heads and their evolving relationships. Now old enough to think about lives outside the Society, Reynie, Sticky, and Kate are doing just that. But the notion that things might and can change, depending on their own decisions, brings a new awkwardness to their relationships, along with the trepidation that even kids who aren't geniuses face. And then there are the telepaths: Constance, who's as obnoxious and angry as ever, though this time she's tempered by discovering her true feelings; and the pure sweetness that is Tai. A welcome return full of the right stuff. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: This highly acclaimed, beloved series has legions of fans, and this latest installment is getting an impressive marketing campaign to build further buzz.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)

From Horn Book

January 1, 2010
The members of the Mysterious Benedict Society have been sequestered to keep their nemesis from capturing them. When the children fall into a trap, they must bring all their skills (including Constance's burgeoning telepathic powers) to bear. As in the previous series entries, the children's well-delineated characters are believable, and the narrative puzzles mesh with thumping good action scenes.

(Copyright 2010 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

From Booklist

December 1, 2009
Grades 4-6 The third (and perhaps final?) book about the Mysterious Benedict Society picks up with a brain teaser as Reynie, Constance, Kate, and Sticky try to figure out the conundrum known as the Prisoners Dilemma. This artificial construct moves into real-life danger as Mr. Curtain et al. once again set their sights on the Whisperer. Questions about Constance and her past are answered here, and other loose ends are neatly tied as well. Displaying much of the charm of the first book, this would make a fitting end to the series, but the Societys legion of fans probably wouldnt say no to more.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2009, American Library Association.)

From Horn Book

November 1, 2009
The members of the Mysterious Benedict Society -- intuitive Reynie, athletic Kate, eidetic Sticky, and obstreperous four-year-old Constance Contraire -- are virtual prisoners in the house of their benefactor, Mr. Benedict. They've been sequestered to keep their nemesis, Ledroptha Curtain, from capturing and using them as hostages in his eagerness to regain control of the Whisperer, a brainwashing machine currently under the protective custody of Mr. Benedict. Their incarceration is enlivened by puzzles set for them by Mr. Benedict and the unusual powers of telepathy beginning to be evidenced by Constance, but when Mr. Curtain and the deadly Ten Men hijack the Whisperer and the children fall into a trap laid for them, they must bring all their puzzle-solving skills -- and Constance's telepathy -- to bear in their attempts to escape and neutralize the Whisperer. As in the previous series entries, the children's well-delineated characters are believable as those of young prodigies, the narrative puzzles mesh with thumping good action scenes, and the good-versus-evil plot balances the warmth of family connections with the excitement of deathly peril.

(Copyright 2009 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

From School Library Journal

October 1, 2009
Gr 5-8-Reynie, Kate, Constance, and Sticky return for a third adventure. This time, the megalomaniac Ledroptha Curtain schemes to regain his deadly Whisperer machine. As Constance develops her powers of mental telepathy, Reynie and the others use their gifted minds to puzzle through Curtain's master plan even as they fall prey to his kidnapping attempt. Imprisoned by well-meaning and sinister characters alike, the Society members face choices that test their loyalty as well as their intellect. Sequels sometimes lack the intensity of the original works, and "Prisoner's Dilemma" struggles with this syndrome at times. The children's unique talents, long since revealed, are past the startling sparkle of their introduction. As character development yields to a dominant plot, the story lacks the facile agility of its predecessors. On the other hand, the opening gambit is fresh and frightfully funny, as is Constance Contraire always and forever. The writing is replete with rollicking metaphors. Finally, as in the best of E. L. Konigsburg's novels, Stewart's introspective characters examine the significance of their experiences. Unlike most adventurers, these special children see the world surrounding their story and share it with readers. If this is the last Society installment, readers had better, as Reynie says, "acquire a taste for the bittersweet.""Caitlin Augusta, Stratford Library Association, CT"

Copyright 2009 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

From Horn Book

July 1, 2008
When Mr. Benedict is kidnapped, the four gifted members of the Mysterious Benedict Society must solve a puzzle-quest to rescue him, their footsteps dogged by creepy henchmen. Stewart keeps interest high with first-rate brainteasers, physical danger, and the children's own complex dynamics. Readers charmed by the first book's plot twists and quirky details will find this a worthy successor.

(Copyright 2008 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

From School Library Journal

Starred review from May 1, 2008
Gr 5-7-What was supposed to have been a reunion with Mr. Benedict turns into trouble for the four young heroes of "The Mysterious Benedict Society" (Little, Brown, 2007). Mr. Benedict and his assistant Number 2 have been kidnapped by the evil Mr. Curtain while abroad, so Reynie, Kate, Sticky, and Constance set off to rescue him, aided by a set of clues Mr. Benedict left before his abduction. Adventure and danger await the four onboard an unusual ship, at a castle in Portugal, in the Netherlands, and finally on a mysterious island, where they fall into the hands of Mr. Curtain and his henchmen. It is a combination of courage and their amazing talents that allows the youngsters to squeak out of every predicament. The action takes a while to get going in earnest as more attention is given to the worries and thoughts of the children and to their interactions with the various helpful, eccentric, or nasty adults they meet in their travels. They also learn to understand themselves and one another a little better by the end of their harrowing journey. As a result, this is not just a rip-roaring adventure with plenty of clever twists and hair's-breadth escapes, but also a warm and satisfying tale about friendship."Eva Mitnick, Los Angeles Public Library"

Copyright 2008 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

From Horn Book

May 1, 2008
When their beloved leader and father-figure Mr. Benedict is kidnapped by his power-hungry twin Mr. Ledroptha Curtain, the four gifted members of the Mysterious Benedict Society discover that a playful puzzle-quest Mr. Benedict designed for them may hold the key to his rescue. As canny Reynie, athletic Kate, memory-whiz Sticky, and cantankerous toddler-prodigy Constance solve riddles, work codes, and follow clues on a speedy cargo-ship en route to Lisbon, Holland, and an uncharted Scottish island, their footsteps are dogged by Mr. Curtain's creepy henchmen, the Ten Men, so named for their signature briefcases that pack ten ways to hurt you with lethal office supplies. Save for a few treacly initial scenes with the children's overprotective caregivers, Stewart keeps interest high throughout the journey with first-rate brainteasers, interludes of physical danger, and the children's own complex dynamics, which reveal an understanding of the emotional needs of gifted youth. In particular, main protagonist Reynie, who has the greatest insight into human nature, struggles against cynicism when faced with the pervasive evil of Mr. Curtain's organization, a struggle felicitously addressed in the climax. Readers charmed by the first Mysterious Benedict Society's unexpected plot twists and quirky details will find this sequel a worthy successor.

(Copyright 2008 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

From Booklist

March 15, 2008
The daring foursome from the well-received The Mysterious Benedict Society (2007) returns in a second perilous adventure. As the book opens, the children reunite at Mr. Benedicts home, where he has arranged a treasure hunt. Alas, they discover that Benedict and his assistant are being held captive somewhere, and dire consequences will result if Benedicts evil twin doesnt receive the information he desires in four days. The children undertake a worldwide journey to save Benedict and find the duskwort that will cure his narcolepsy. Lots of backstory is needed to set up this sequel, which makes for a choppy beginning. In the previous book, the protagonists personal stories provided heft, but this is pure adventurelots of racing, scheming, fighting. Punches are pulled on the violence front, but the threat is always there, creating page-turning tension. Its this roller coaster, along with the essential goodness of the characters (except, perhaps, for Constance), that will draw kids to this breathless follow-up.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2008, American Library Association.)

From School Library Journal

June 1, 2007
Gr 4-8 -A newspaper ad reads, "Are you a gifted child looking for special opportunities?" Many youngsters respond but only four are chosen, among them 11-year-old Reynie Muldoon who can't figure out what he has in common with his three companions. Talkative Kate carries around a bucket filled with odds and ends and can wiggle her way into or out of any situation. Sticky is a voracious reader who remembers everything. Tiny Constance is smart as a whip but cranky and stubborn. The one thing they have in common is they are all without parentseither by circumstance or by choice. When kindly Mr. Benedict recruits the youngsters to go undercover on a dangerous mission, they are confident that they are up to the challenge. Their goal is to infiltrate the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened, a school for gifted children, whose founder is sending hidden messages and hypnotizing the world population to bend to his wishes. Alone, each child is helpless, but as a team, they manage to overcome evil and save the day. First-time novelist Trenton Lee Stewart has infused his novel (Little Brown, 2007) with strong characters and an exciting plot. Del Roy's husky, grandfatherly voice works perfectly with the third person narration. Although the story is long, each short chapter ends in an exciting cliff-hanger that is sure to keep kids listening. Count on this clever, well-written title to make an appearance on both state reading lists and best books lists.Tricia Melgaard, Centennial Middle School, Broken Arrow, OK

Copyright 2007 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

From Publisher's Weekly

May 21, 2007
Kids who are itching for a boarding-school-set fantasy-adventure in between visits to Hogwarts might pleasantly pass the time listening to this quirky tale, which is narrated with panache and a tone of childlike curiosity by Roy. When an ad reading “Are you a gifted child looking for special opportunities?” appears in a local paper, it's hard for many children to resist. But only four out of dozens pass the rigorous mind-bending tests that prove they are special and talented enough to undertake a mysterious mission at the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened (as assigned by narcoleptic benefactor Mr. Benedict). Reynie, Kate, Sticky and Constance band together using their unique gifts (be it for photographic memory, puzzle-solving or acrobatics) to uncover the dastardly plot of the Learning Institute's founder, Ledroptha Curtain. Roy's voice, masculine and scratchy, but able to reach a youthful high pitch, is an enjoyable companion for the four protagonist's exploits. Though some of Mr. Curtain's plans sound preposterously convoluted, they are humorously so. Listeners are rewarded when all wraps up nicely by program's end. Ages 10-up.

From School Library Journal

Starred review from March 1, 2007
Gr 5-9-After Reynie Muldoon responds to an advertisement recruiting "gifted children looking for special opportunities," he finds himself in a world of mystery and adventure. The 11-year-old orphan is one of four children to complete a series of challenging and creative tasks, and he, Kate, Constance, and Sticky become the Mysterious Benedict Society. After being trained by Mr. Benedict and his assistants, the four travel to an isolated school where children are being trained by a criminal mastermind to participate in his schemes to take over the world. The young investigators need to use their special talents and abilities in order to discover Mr. Curtain's secrets, and their only chance to defeat him is through working together. Readers will challenge their own abilities as they work with the Society members to solve clues and put together the pieces of Mr. Curtain's plan. In spite of a variety of coincidences, Stewart's unusual characters, threatening villains, and dramatic plot twists will grab and hold readers' attention. Fans of Roald Dahl or Blue Balliett will find a familiar blend of kid power, clues, and adventure in "Society", though its length may daunt reluctant or less-secure readers. Underlying themes about the power of media messages and the value of education add to this book's appeal, and a happy ending with hints of more adventures to come make this first-time author one to remember."Beth L. Meister, Pleasant View Elementary School, Franklin, WI"

Copyright 2007 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

From Horn Book

March 1, 2007
The Mysterious Benedict Society is real flashlight-under-the-bedclothes material. Exceptional orphan Reynie Muldoon answers a newspaper ad for "special opportunities" for gifted children, and when he passes the tests-both paper exams and more esoteric ones-he becomes a member of a crack team of orphans recruited by the genial narcoleptic genius Mr. Benedict. Reynie and three other extraordinary children are to infiltrate the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened, a school run by the reclusive Mr. Ledroptha Curtain. Their job: to discover the purpose behind sinister subliminal messages emitted from the school that Mr. Benedict has detected riding piggyback on television and radio signals. Once inside the dystopically repressive Institute, the four children face danger and discovery, puzzles and plots, and their own mortal weaknesses as they confront Mr. Curtain and his plan to take over the world. With its lively style, fresh character portrayals, and well-timed revelations, this story flies past, thrilling us as it goes. Just be sure your flashlight batteries are well charged.

(Copyright 2007 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

From Booklist

Starred review from January 1, 2007
(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2007, American Library Association.)

From Publisher's Weekly

Starred review from December 18, 2006
Stewart's (Flood Summer
, for adults) first book for young people begins with a bang. Gifted 11-year-old orphan Reynie Muldoon is sharing the newspaper with his tutor when she excitedly points out an ad: "Are you a gifted child looking for special opportunities?" She encourages him to take the series of tests cited in the ad, and the entire process resembles the otherworldly experience of Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
, with puzzles within puzzles and tests within tests—some mental, some ethical, some physical. Ultimately three children pass the first test and go on to the next: Reynie, Sticky (born George) Washington and Kate Wetherall—all of them essentially orphans. A fourth, the "very, very small" Constance Contraire, joins them later, and Mr. Benedict describes why he has brought them together. Initially, readers—like the four children—may be unsure of what to think about this mysterious gent: Is he hero or villain? Mr. Benedict has recruited them to foil an evil plan, devised by a mysterious "Sender," to brainwash the population via secret messages—delivered by children—embedded in television and radio programs. The plot-driven novel follows many adventures among the four, whose unique talents all come into play; readers will likely warm to each of them. A couple of concluding twists involving Kate and Connie may throw readers a bit, but these do not detract from the book's entertainment value or from the author's sound overall structure. Though the book is lengthy, readers will likely enjoy getting lost in this fully imagined realm. Ages 8-12.

From AudioFile Magazine

When Reynie Muldoon's tutor encourages him to respond to a strange ad in the newspaper, he begins an adventure that will spark the interest and challenge the intellect of listeners young and old. Through a series of mysterious, mind-bending tests, Reynie and three other unique, gifted children are recruited to go undercover at the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened to derail a plot to take over the world. Using intellect, imagination, and resourcefulness, they embark on an adventure that will entertain "gifted" children of all ages. Del Roy's narration is inspired. His serious tone communicates his respect for the skills and talents of the youngsters in the story, as well as the listeners who are playing along. N.E.M. (c) AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine